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Tax Deduction for Moving Costs: 2017 vs. 2018

If you moved for work-related reasons in 2017, you might be able to deduct some of the costs on your 2017 return even if you do not itemize deductions. (Or, if your employer reimbursed you for moving expenses, that reimbursement might be excludable from your income). The bad news is, if you move in 2018, the costs likely will not be deductible, and any employer reimbursements will probably be included in your taxable income.

Suspension for 2018–2025

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law this past December, suspends the moving expense deduction for the same period as when lower individual income tax rates generally apply: 2018 through 2025. For this period, it also suspends the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses.

The TCJA does provide an exception to both suspensions for active-duty members of the Armed Forces (and their spouses and dependents) who move because of a military order that calls for a permanent change of station.

Tests for 2017

If you moved in 2017 and would like to claim a deduction on your 2017 return, the first requirement is the move be work-related. You do not have to be an employee; the self-employed also can be eligible for the moving expense deduction.

The second is a distance test. The new main job location must be at least 50 miles farther from your former home than your former main job location was from that home. So, a work-related move from city to suburb or from town to neighboring town probably will not qualify, even if not moving would have increased your commute significantly.

Finally, there is a time test. You must work full time at the new job location for at least 39 weeks during the first year. If you are self-employed, you must meet that test plus work full time for at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months at the new job location. (Certain limited exceptions apply).

Deductible expenses

The moving expense deduction is an ‘above-the-line’ deduction, which means it is subtracted from your gross income to determine your adjusted gross income. It is not an itemized deduction, so you do not have to itemize to benefit.

Generally, you can deduct:

  • Transportation and lodging expenses for yourself and household members while moving
  • The cost of packing and transporting your household goods and other personal property
  • The expense of storing and insuring these items while in transit
  • Costs related to connecting or disconnecting utilities

But do not expect to deduct everything. Meal costs during move-related travel are not deductible, nor is any part of the purchase price of a new home or expenses incurred selling your old one. Also, if your employer later reimburses you for any of the moving costs you have deducted, you may have to include the reimbursement as income on your tax return.

Please contact us if you have questions about whether you can deduct moving expenses on your 2017 return or about what other tax breaks will not be available for 2018 under the TCJA.

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